I've decided to rename the thread, as I've abandoned the idea of having the prop build on commission... Partly due to the costs and partly because I want more control of the build and process. So I'm going to try to build it myself... It will probably be a slow and long process and some of the more intricate parts I will probably have to commission

One of the first problems I need to attend is finding monitors/screen in the accurate size. I believe I've read in an existing thread that the size of the main monitor should be approximately 5", and the two smaller monitors approximately 2". Where would I find monitors this size? Any ideas? _________________Monsieur, azonnal kövessen engem bitte

Since you've already ordered the light bar on top of the screen, you're build will have to be now in relationship to that bar.
Monitor is smaller than my last V.K. (should be 3 inches or 4 stacked buttons [measurements from the three buttons on the right hand side of the main screen] and the machine itself shouldn't be thicker than a regular DVD machine).

8th passenger (Colin) had already done some research on that prop also and had made some very good cut-outs of the final look.

I think most of the information you need (and is available) is in this thread.

The VK machine is something I would like to have a go at. But I'm busy doing my flamethrower at the moment.

Just looking at the voight kampff machine makes my brain hurt. It's a world of pain... I'm sure Joberg would agree. And he's been there a couple of times already.

Like you said an ocean of questions.

I think to make the monitors work is a mammoth task. Unless you have the knowledge. It's old technology that's bulky. You just have to look at the wiring nightmare in Some of the photographs Tom Southwell posted. And that's just what's in the machine and not off camera!

Most small monitors these days seem to be widescreen, not 4:3 aspect ratio like an old TV. I don't think you are looking for small televisions but more oscilloscope and viewfinders from large video cameras. You may find small LCD monitor's but they are flat!

I still can't decided what the monitor sizes are.

Like joberg says you have to choose one detail and determine it's size. Then work everything off of that! Then choose whatever fits. Or make it fit.

Yes Anders, you have the light bar at the top of the big screen therefore, everything has to be sized according to said light bar (I think these lights, both on top and on the left hand side of the prop, are from Canada if my memory serves me well).

Thanks Colin for the feedback and the link, it'll help for sure.
The main problem with this machine is the size of those damn screens.
You're right, every screen is flat nowadays while the ones on the prop are slightly curved.

It seems also that the main housing of the prop was vacu-formed as well as the baffles. If you have access to a 3-D printing machine, some of the buttons (3 whites at the right hand side of the screen and 4 at the top of the 2 small screen housing) could be created that way. I used make-up caps for all of my buttons

Yes, the monitors are indeed the most tricky part. Even thinking about hurts my brain...

Using modern displays is a problem because the screens are flat and wider (why the **** does everything have to be widescreen?!?!). The good thing about using modern displays is that they're easy to hook up using for instance a Raspberry Pi.

Old displays won't be easy to find and a hell to work with and fit in the cabinet... I wouldn't know where to start.

So overall I think this project will be a combination of what's possible and what's screen accurate....

Get it now: New and improved widescreen VK!

Thanks again both of you _________________Monsieur, azonnal kövessen engem bitte

Vacuum forming a fake screen is a really good idea! Thanks for that, Joberg!

At the moment the plan is to do a semi-automatic model. Three displays working, red eye in the arm working, the bellows slowly pulsing, LED's and the the white buttons in front panel working.

I've only been looking a little bit into the arm action. And it will take two engines, one to raise the arm and one to turn the head into position. To get that to work I would need to control the speed of the engines and know how to program sequences... Any idea how to do that?

But for know I'm still stuck in the research phase... Still looking into how to run the displays _________________Monsieur, azonnal kövessen engem bitte

Vacuum forming the screens may even be easier than you think. I don't even think you will need a vacuum. Instead of making a male form to form over which will transfer any irregularities into it, you can cut out a negative out line of the shape of the screen, then overlay a thin plastic and just hit it with a heat gun a little at a time. Gravity will do the work. I have used cheap vinyl report covers to form clear parts, and they don't need much heat, maybe even just a hair dryer.

Good idea Andy! (2 brains are always better than one ).
As for the graphics, I think that Mr.Webber and maybe Beast or Colin had made moving graphics already, matching what you see on screen (since the small graphics were recycled from the Alien movie

No idea on how to make servo (and the electronics) work for that particular mechanical sequence, but I'm sure others will chime in with solutions.

With some help I put together some eye footage in a loop style arrangement for the main screen when the old thread was up and running and member here Mark Hev used it in his fan film Bladder Run, came out pretty nicely. Will try and find the original file if you want to use it.

Those graphics you've made look very cool but if memory serves, the best shots of them in movie form are found in the Alien Blu Ray._________________Formerly offworld66

ETA on the light bar is 8 days from Canada, and then scaling begins...

Using a heat gun and a negative is brilliant! Hadn't thought of that! But Iv'e already considered making/buying a vacuum forming platform, it will make things easier...

Mr Webber, if you can find that eye footage it would be precious to me!!!

And if Colin or Beast have made the smaller graphics and would want to share them with me, I would be the happiest person alive! Hope they're listening I'm only going to use it for this private build and with full attribution to you guys.

When I search for ALIEN blu-ray box set, different ones turn up.. Which one is it exactly?_________________Monsieur, azonnal kövessen engem bitte

The only prob with those light bars is that I'm doubting they had the right measurements when they created them.
I don't know what kind of research they did, but without source measurements (Mike Fink or others) it would be impossible to guess right (that would be a heck of a coincidence )

I know, Joberg, you're absolutely right. But you know everything about this machine has to be guestimated... But I still wan't to give it a try

When I get the light bar bar I will think about display sizes, the choices are limited, so this will also be a problem... I'll settle for something close

Got in touch with Beastmaster and 8thpassenger, but unfortunately none of them have done the display graphics... They gave some ideas to work on though, so that's cool _________________Monsieur, azonnal kövessen engem bitte